Konas ready to be part of new college program in Indy

Connor Konas, front row center, plans to study physical therapy at the University of Indianapolis, where he is part of the school’s first men’s lacrosse team. With him are his parents Mark and Terri (seated) and Brighton coach Renn Moon (standing).(Photo: Tim Robinson/Daily Press & Argus)

He was in on the ground floor when his travel lacrosse team was created two years ago, and he'll be part of the inaugural men's lacrosse team at the University of Indianapolis next spring.

"I'm helping build a program," he said after signing his Division II letter-of-intent with the Greyhounds last month. "You get a lot of good bonds out of it. You get really close with your teammates."

But, first, there's his senior season at Brighton, where Konas will be a captain and first-string goalie this season.

"I'm hoping it's one thing that's less on his mind as we're playing games," Brighton coach Renn Moon said. "I'm sure it's easier for any player to know where they're going to school and have that done, to focus on the game. There's some unfinished business this team has, and I'm sure he feels as a goalie we have some things to accomplish this year. Knowing that my starting goalie and one of my captains has got that taken care of and is happy with where he's going, it's great for him. It's great for the team."

"I wanted to play hockey when I was younger," Connor Konas said. "But it was a little expensive, so I played the closest sport I could find to (hockey), and that was lacrosse. I started playing in the fifth grade and just took a liking to it."

Moon, his coach, says Konas' value to the Bulldogs goes beyond his ability in the net.

"He's a great lacrosse player, and I don't want to diminish that," Moon said. "But I've gotten the chance to be with him the last three years, and he has great character. He's going to be a captain this year. He's a natural leader, great in academics, just a great all-around young man. I'm very happy he's getting to go where he wanted to go and play a sport that he loves."

Konas, who plans to study physical therapy at Indianapolis, welcomes the pressure that comes with playing goalie.

"I like that, being a goalie, I can have the biggest impact on a game," he said. "If I'm having a bad game, that can mean the whole game to everybody. I like the responsibility that comes with that."

He considered Augustana and Albion, both NCAA Division III colleges, before opting to play for Indianapolis, which will compete in the Division II section of the East Coast Athletic Conference.

"I love being a part of new things," Konas said. "I always like to try new ideas."

The days leading up to his signing were a little stressful, though.

"The Albion coach was one of my fall coaches, and he kept talking to me about signing, but I didn't know what to do," Konas said.

Signing in November, he said was a relief. That, Moon hopes, translates on the field for Brighton in the spring.

"It's less stress," he said. "We know teens are great at handling stress, but it's one less stressor he's got to worry about."

One thing is for certain: There's the opportunity to set a bunch of records, a notion that drew laughter from Konas, his parents, and Moon during a photo shoot.